The End of the Story, But Not the Legend - The Memorable Scenes of Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends

by Culture Team31 Jul 2017 | 2:10 PM

It was a month of waiting; for most fans, the wait was unbearable. The previous installment of Rurouni Kenshin created mixed emotions: confusion, horror, and the feeling of wanting more. The movie left too many unanswered questions, building the anticipation among old and new fans alike. With the release of Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends, we're hoping to get questions answered and finally see the story of Kenshin Himura, also known as Battousai the Slayer, come to an end.

Let's look at some of the most unforgettable moments that made Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends a fitting finale for everyone's favorite samurai:

Kenshin's Mysterious Savior Revealed

In the last scenes of Kyoto Inferno, we see Kenshin being carried by a mysterious man. Most of the fans speculate the man as Kenshin's aloof yet undeniably strong master, Seijuuro Hiko XIII. When the scene rolls to a young Kenshin meeting his master for the first time, the speculations were confirmed to be true.

The relationship behind Kenshin and his master is simple but complicated at the same time. Although they remained estranged from each other, Hiko took his wounded disciple under his wing. He tested Kenshin's limits and evaluated his growth as a person and as a swordsman. Desperate to learn the final technique of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu, Kenshin decides to challenge his master in a duel of skill and will. After enduring many cuts and facing defeat at the hands of his mentor, Kenshin finally learned what his master was trying to convey - "Your life is not yours to give up."

The Wrath of Aoshi Shinomori

Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends features several fight scenes, and the most notable scenario was the fight between Aoshi and Kenshin. As in the anime, both the movie versions of Aoshi and Kenshin executed great movements and techniques.

Aoshi, still plagued by the past, went after Kenshin who was on his way to Tokyo. Kenshin, who has already come to terms with what he did as Battousai, won and left Aoshi a thought to ponder on - to move on with life.

The Fall of Battousai

For us 90s kids, Kenshin Himura was the invincible samurai. His reverse-edge sword techniques, speed, and intelligence in combat prove to be an unbeatable combination against any opponent. Imagine our surprise when Kenshin was tied and sent for public execution.

Though he had a ruthless reputation as a manslayer, surely Kenshin had the right to preserve his honor through seppuku (hara-kiri). As the executioner brought down his blade, the audience released their breath to see Kenshin alive and unbound. The scene was all a ploy to get close to the story's main antagonist, Shishio Makoto.

Kenshin, Sanosuke, Saito, and Aoshi versus Shishio Makoto

In the Rurouni Kenshin universe, Shishio Makoto was among the strongest foes to cross swords with Kenshin. His strength, speed, and cunning ability to read attacks made him at par with Kenshin. Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends shows just how strong and unmatched our hero is against this opponent.

The peak of the action shows Kenshin, Sanosuke, Saito and Aoshi battling the unbeatable Shishio. Despite their combined efforts, Shishio remains unfazed by the attacks. While Kenshin and the others were fatally wounded from Shishio's monstrous attacks, the main villain only met his end when he reached his time limit and combusted due to his body's inability to regulate temperature. The fight scene among these five major characters created a colossal impact on how the story turned out.

Kenshin Himura's Legend Will Live On

Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends told the conclusion of Battousai's story, but Kenshin's heroism and honor continue on as legend for most fans. The great casting, superb fight scenes, exceptional performances of the actors, and the comedy-induced drama of all three films, brought life to one of the most iconic TV shows of our childhood. It was, as they say, worth the wait.